tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22648175219579037942017-07-03T16:17:53.994-04:00TShirt and Jeans Moma casual take on a crazy lifeAmy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125TshirtAndJeansMomhttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-87460618775849949582010-07-22T15:04:00.000-04:002010-07-22T15:04:08.579-04:00My blog has a NEW HOME!I've moved over to <a href="http://www.amillionboxes.com/">www.amillionboxes.com</a> .&nbsp; Please check it out and let me know what you think!!Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-9989190705335093132010-07-06T15:42:00.000-04:002010-07-06T15:42:39.385-04:00Top Ten Tuesday ~ Ten Things to Pack When staying in a Vacation Rental<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohamanda.com/about-2/top-ten-tuesday/" target="_blank" title="Top Ten {Tuesday}"><img alt="Top Ten {Tuesday}" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn115/purplesahm/toptentuesday.jpg" /></a>&nbsp; </div><br />I love the Top Ten Tuesday because I seriously love me some lists.&nbsp; Head on over to the lovely Amanda's blog at <a href="http://www.ohamanda.com/">www.ohamanda.com</a> and check out some more of the fun lists!! Even better than that?&nbsp; Come up with your own top ten!! Just be sure to link up at Amanda's so everyone can find you!&nbsp; My list is Ten Things to pack when you are staying in a vacation rental.&nbsp; We have done this a lot as an extended family and found a few things that really can make a difference in your stay.&nbsp; Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p-ni6Gax8ck&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p-ni6Gax8ck&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-90182065368500208242010-07-05T19:31:00.000-04:002010-07-05T19:31:35.944-04:00Monday Mingle 7/5/2010<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eightymphmom.com/category/monday-mingle-vlogs"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a> </div><br />Holy Cow!&nbsp; With all the 4th of July hoopla, I almost forgot that today was Monday which means, MONDAY MINGLE TIME!!!&nbsp; I love the Monday Mingle, big thanks to Jennifer at www.eightymphmom.com for hosting.&nbsp; If you want to join in, put up your own vlog and go to her site and link up.&nbsp; Every week a lot of fun people do the Monday Mingle and it's a great way to get to know some of your fellow vloggers/bloggers.&nbsp; Hope you all have a great week!<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yTy80FGtx84&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yTy80FGtx84&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-44280877336968348562010-07-05T10:37:00.000-04:002010-07-05T10:37:22.566-04:00Fourth of July FireworksMy family has had a love/hate relationship with fireworks ever since our children came along.&nbsp; I love fireworks, love to watch them and ooh and aah.&nbsp; My children, on the other hand, have abhorred fireworks for a long time.&nbsp; When we go to Disney World we still find places outside of the park to watch the fireworks so the kids won't complain. &nbsp;&nbsp; I keep waiting for them to get old enough to appreciate them.&nbsp; Part of the problem comes with the "fire" part of the equation.&nbsp; They have not been "play with fire" kind of kids.&nbsp; We have a fireplace and have fires all winter and neither of my children will light the fire.&nbsp; They don't even like to light birthday candles!!&nbsp; Last year my son got braver and started lighting some of the small fireworks that we buy for the Fourth.&nbsp; This year my daughter asked if she could light some of the fireworks.&nbsp;<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/TDHtrjUtGoI/AAAAAAAAADE/lfSZEqGSDx0/s1600/braveemma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/TDHtrjUtGoI/AAAAAAAAADE/lfSZEqGSDx0/s400/braveemma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I think we're over the fireworks aversion!&nbsp; I hope you all had a great weekend.&nbsp; Thanks to all who have served or are serving our great nation to protect our freedom!Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-89137911824423464852010-06-27T20:44:00.000-04:002010-06-27T20:44:59.383-04:00Life is always changing.For around the past twenty years I have worked with young people.&nbsp; Before I was married I was a Youth Director for a Presbyterian church, and after I married a fellow Youth Director I happily became a volunteer.&nbsp; The churches we served jokingly referred to getting two for the price of one, but I relished my role as volunteer.&nbsp; I didn't have to worry about scheduling, budgeting or any of the nitty gritty details, I was just called to love the young people.&nbsp; How lucky is that?<br /><br />Unfortunately, the time comes when you have to say goodbye.&nbsp; The time comes to move on.&nbsp; For the last couple of years our last church has been having a difficult time.&nbsp; It is a good church with great people.&nbsp; A long time pastor left and since then, they have been trying to figure out who they are as a church.&nbsp; While we still believe in, and love this church, it became a very difficult place to work.&nbsp; Last August my husband resigned his position.&nbsp; It was time to say goodbye.&nbsp;<br /><br />For the previous twenty years, we have been taking young people to a youth conference in Montreat, NC.&nbsp; My husband and I both attended these conferences as young people and have been a part of them ever since, serving as leadership and support staff for the conferences.&nbsp; This year we attended as "house parents" for my very great friend's youth group from Wasatch Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.&nbsp; For most of the week I felt like I was cheating on my last youth group.&nbsp; I stayed on the edges of the Wasatch group even though they welcomed us in completely.&nbsp;<br /><br />I posted a facebook status that said it felt like I was ripping off an enormous bandaid. &nbsp; Some of my incredibly sweet friends posted lovely things that were very flattering about the impact we have had on young people, but one other gesture struck me to my core.&nbsp; One person "liked" my status update.&nbsp; This person had been a 14 year old in my youth group with the first group I took as an adult. &nbsp; That one little click of her mouse reminded me how blessed I have been.&nbsp; I have gotten to know so many amazing young people and their families.&nbsp; I will be volunteering again with another youth group.&nbsp; It will be different but that's okay.&nbsp; For all of those young people I have been blessed to know, we will ALWAYS love you and we will always be praying for you and hoping for you.&nbsp;Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-80838928989667450162010-06-16T11:28:00.000-04:002010-06-16T11:28:48.469-04:00Wordless Wednesday 6/16/10 Why I love North Carolina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/TBjs33LleEI/AAAAAAAAAC0/nzXLGJ3n0WA/s1600/sand+dollar+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/TBjs33LleEI/AAAAAAAAAC0/nzXLGJ3n0WA/s400/sand+dollar+island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Friday,&nbsp; I was on a sandbar with my children and assorted cousins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/TBjtTk66ySI/AAAAAAAAAC8/NnG8ie_Xbg0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/TBjtTk66ySI/AAAAAAAAAC8/NnG8ie_Xbg0/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday I got in my car, drove a few hours and I was here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love calling North Carolina Home</div><br />&nbsp;Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-67914450571495785092010-06-15T19:35:00.000-04:002010-06-15T19:35:59.908-04:00Top Ten Tuesday ~ Reasons Chaperoning Teens is NOT a vacation<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohamanda.com/about-2/top-ten-tuesday/" target="_blank" title="Top Ten {Tuesday}"><img alt="Top Ten {Tuesday}" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn115/purplesahm/toptentuesday.jpg" /></a>&nbsp; </div><br /><br />Many thanks to Amanda of <a href="http://www.ohamanda.com/">www.ohamanda.com</a> for hosting the Top Ten Tuesday every week.&nbsp; Visit her site to see all of the top tens for the week.&nbsp; They usually cover a variety of subjects and are very fun!&nbsp; My Top Ten Tuesday is the top ten Reasons Chaperoning Teens is NOT a vacation.&nbsp; I have spent the last twenty years working with young people and I love them.&nbsp; I love every minute I spend with them but trips really cannot be called vacations!<br /><br />When I go on vacation,<br /><ol><li>I have two children, not fifteen.</li><li>I do not do plumbing repairs</li><li>I sleep</li><li>I do not have to worry about who is crushing on who</li><li>I am able to make my own schedule</li><li>I am not a wardrobe mistress, able to make repairs and supervise choices</li><li>I am not a walking drug store, dispensing everything from advil to feminine products</li><li> I get more than 10 minutes to shower</li><li>I don't get to know a group of young people and be reminded again how intelligent and thoughtful this generation is</li><li>I don't have my heart moved by watching their faith, their care for each other, and for our world.</li></ol><i>This list is made for the number of people who ask me upon returning from a youth trip, "How was your vacation?"&nbsp; I </i>LOVE <i>chaperoning young people but it cannot be mistaken for a vacation.&nbsp; With great thanks to the lovely Wasatch Presbyterian Church youth group from Salt Lake City, Utah for allowing me to spend time with them this week!</i>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-35038327572317319282010-06-15T11:45:00.000-04:002010-06-15T11:45:26.124-04:00Monday Mingle 6/15/10<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/search/label/Monday%20Mingle%20%2B%20Vlogs"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is my very late Monday Mingle!&nbsp; I am chaperoning a group of young people in the mountains of North Carolina.&nbsp; Not only is there no internet, there is very little cell phone service so I am in withdrawal.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks as always to Jennifer of <a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/">www.eightymphmom.com</a> for hosting the Monday Mingle.&nbsp; Please go to her site and check out the great mingles!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UvqwnS9ZpTc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UvqwnS9ZpTc&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-58660094839901777942010-06-06T09:20:00.000-04:002010-06-06T09:20:08.231-04:00Feeding Hungry ChildrenWith only two more days of school left, my kids are about to jump out of their skins because they are so ready for summer.&nbsp; For 26,000 children in our area, summer means more than freedom from homework.&nbsp; For those children, summer means not knowing if there is going to be enough to eat.&nbsp; During the school year, these children are able to get lunch and sometimes breakfast for free.&nbsp; When school is out, they are still hungry, and still need to eat.&nbsp; On Thursday I was able to attend a social media mixer that was sponsored by an organization doing everything they can to meet the needs of the hungry in our area, the Food Bank of Central &amp; Eastern North Carolina.&nbsp; For all of my friends from this area, you really should know about the work they do. <br /><br />In our little section of southeastern North Carolina, there are 26,000 children who don't get enough to eat.&nbsp; That number is staggering to me.&nbsp; I tried to think of it visually.&nbsp; We have four fairly large high schools in our county.&nbsp; If you filled each of their athletic stadiums to capacity with these children (no parents, teacher, volunteers, JUST the kids) the stadiums could not hold the number of children who can't count on having enough to eat.&nbsp; I almost can't comprehend it.&nbsp;<br /><br />Thankfully, the Food Bank is doing everything they can to reach these children.&nbsp; As an organization, "the Food Bank is rated in the top 10 in food distribution out of more than 200 food banks in the United States."&nbsp; In their budget, 97% donated goes to food and food programs, with 3% going to administration and fundraising.&nbsp; That is a great ratio!&nbsp; "For every dollar donated, the Food Bank is able to distribute generally EIGHT dollars worth of food, or provide FOUR meals." If you donate money to the food bank, your dollars will go very far, but money isn't the only way to donate.&nbsp; They need and welcome volunteers, no matter your age or skills. <br /><br />One other way to give is by donating needed items.&nbsp; Their most needed itimes include<br /><ul><li>canned stews</li><li>soups</li><li>canned tuna</li><li>canned ravioli</li><li>canned fruits and vegetables</li><li>rice</li><li>cereal</li></ul>You can find a complete list and more information at <a href="http://wilmington.foodbankcenc.org/">wilmington.foodbankcenc.org&nbsp; </a>.<br /><br />There is one more fun way to help out in our area.&nbsp; On Saturday, June 19, from 11am to 2pm the Food Bank is sponsoring a Kid's Carnival at the Mayfaire Event Field.&nbsp; There will be jump castles, magic shows, musicians, face painters, and the first 500 people in attendance will get a mini-sundae from Coldstone Creamery! (YUM!) Bring your kids out to have fun, and please take a minute to learn about the great work the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is doing.<br /><br />I am so thankful that I get to enjoy sandwiches on the beach, grilling out, homemade ice cream, fresh corn, and ice cold watermelon.&nbsp; I am also thankful for the reminder that not everyone has that luxury.&nbsp;<br /><br /><i>all quotes from Food Bank CENC information.&nbsp; </i>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-73799902056259299962010-05-26T18:02:00.000-04:002010-05-26T18:02:27.744-04:00My Husband is a better MomKidding, sort of.&nbsp; I have been knocked down with an upper respiratory infection since Saturday.&nbsp; I had a fever and still have an obnoxious cough, plus the medicine they have given me seems to make my stomach upset.&nbsp; Whiny enough for ya?&nbsp; It's small potatoes compared to what some of my friends are dealing with, but it still sends the family routine into a frenzy.&nbsp; I am thankful that my husband is very hands on.&nbsp; When he realized I was down for the count on Saturday, he sent me to my room and took care of the laundry.&nbsp; (it was an especially good day in husband land)&nbsp; He was able to accomplish an incredible amount in much less time than it usually takes me.<br />I should be happy, right?&nbsp; No, I was sick and thoroughly depressed that he was better at my job than I am.&nbsp; How on earth could he get so much done?&nbsp; So I tried to take an objective look around the house. (shuffling around in my bathrobe) Guess what?&nbsp; Every room in the house is neater than my side of our bedroom is.&nbsp; And don't even get me started on my desk.&nbsp; Is this because I am the messiest person in the house?&nbsp; (twenty years ago this would have been true!)&nbsp; No, it's because I help everyone else get their stuff cleaned up, then I don't want to deal with my own stuff.&nbsp; It doesn't make sense that I help my daughter clean her room instead of taking care of mine.&nbsp; I realize that I should be able to do it all, but I am not that woman.&nbsp; Thankfully my husband knew he wasn't marrying that woman.<br />Now I have to come up with a new mental cleaning schedule, and my stuff will be closer to the top of the list.&nbsp; I might even have to write it down on actual paper for a couple of weeks until I get in the habit.&nbsp; I know I'm not the only one who deals with this.&nbsp; I don't have to come first, but I have to not always put my stuff off til the last (when I am inevitably tired of cleaning).&nbsp; What about y'all? Anyone have a schedule they use?&nbsp;Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-39851300798535451992010-05-25T21:46:00.000-04:002010-05-25T21:46:30.366-04:00Top Ten Tuesday ~ Top Ten Moments from my last Walt Disney World tripLast weekend I was able to escape from my daily life for a getaway to Disney World with my husband.&nbsp; Our primary reason for going was the D23 Flowers and Fireworks event which was incredible.&nbsp;&nbsp; When I got home I helped proctor for the end of grade tests at my daughter's elementary school.&nbsp; 3 days later I came down with a terrible upper respiratory infection!&nbsp; I share this just in case there is anything too bizarre in the video~I was editing under the influence of cough syrup.&nbsp; I had a blast making it, but I am still figuring out the software options so I apologize if it's too crazy!&nbsp; Big thanks to Amanda at <a href="http://www.ohamanda.com/">www.ohamanda.com</a> for hosting the Top Ten {Tuesday} every week.&nbsp; Go to her site to find some other great top tens about all kinds of things!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bM5bgqMM5Fo&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bM5bgqMM5Fo&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-56207744320014379732010-05-11T20:01:00.000-04:002010-05-11T20:01:43.020-04:00Disney World, Again?And my delighted reply is, YEP!&nbsp; I love Walt Disney World and thankfully my husband has acquired the same feeling.&nbsp; We go whenever we can, which recently has been frequently.&nbsp; We went last summer with the kids and had a great trip.&nbsp; John and I were able to go for a quick trip for a D23- the community for Disney fans event at the Food and Wine Festival.&nbsp; We returned over Halloween weekend (which is also my husband's birthday weekend!).&nbsp; I thought we were done for a while, but then the opportunity for the Disney Social Media Moms event arose.&nbsp; Who is going to turn that down?&nbsp;<br /><br />Now we, just my husband and I, are returning for another D23 event.&nbsp; We have a great friend who stays with our kids.&nbsp; How do we get away with leaving them at home?&nbsp; This time it's simple.&nbsp; The event we are attending is called "Flowers and Fireworks".&nbsp; My kids do not appreciate fireworks.&nbsp; I wish they did because I love fireworks so much, but we usually end up watching them outside the park.&nbsp; They whined once when we told them we were going, but all it took was the mention of fireworks and they were fine. <br /><br />The last D23 event we attended was amazing so I am looking forward to what this one is going to bring!&nbsp; I will be trying to update so check back in if you want to hear about it!Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-49673943681062913422010-05-10T18:47:00.000-04:002010-05-10T18:47:18.460-04:00Monday Mingle 5/10/10<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/search/label/Monday%20Mingle%20%2B%20Vlogs"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's Monday Mingle time!&nbsp; It's sponsored every week by Jennifer at <a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/">www.eightymphmom.com</a>, she posts three questions for everyone to answer.&nbsp; The mingle is a great way to get more comfortable with vlogging and it's a great way to get to know other bloggers.&nbsp; Thanks Jennifer for hosting!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tKAgpbiblMo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tKAgpbiblMo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-16657344038227417822010-05-07T17:13:00.000-04:002010-05-07T17:13:27.277-04:00Tuna and Jello?In the course of my great adventure helping my parents sort through my late grandmother's belongings, we sometimes feel like archeologists.&nbsp; Recently I found a Woman's Day magazine from January 1965 and flipped through it fascinated with how different some things are and how some things are still the same.&nbsp; This Jello ad caught my eye.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S-R_91WI0ZI/AAAAAAAAACk/6hhGLa77kWg/s1600/jello+ad+from+1965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S-R_91WI0ZI/AAAAAAAAACk/6hhGLa77kWg/s640/jello+ad+from+1965.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br />That's right, tuna salad in <b>mixed vegetable flavored jello.&nbsp; </b>Just in case the type is too small for you to see, let me show it to you closer up.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S-SAbCyN6bI/AAAAAAAAACs/pl5Vs73PexE/s1600/ad+text+from+jello+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S-SAbCyN6bI/AAAAAAAAACs/pl5Vs73PexE/s640/ad+text+from+jello+ad.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>&nbsp; I have heard complaints from people about their moms fixing tuna casserole too often during their childhood, but this was brand new to me.&nbsp; Tuna, boiled eggs, olives, Italian dressing, and Jello.&nbsp; I want to know who pitched that recipe to the Jello folks.&nbsp; What brilliant chef decided that all tuna salad needed to give it that special touch~wrap it in Jello! I am intrigued and repulsed at the same time.&nbsp; So, no, I don't recommend this as a special Mother's Day recipe.&nbsp; Sorry if I grossed anyone out, I'll try to make up for it tomorrow by posting my favorite chocolate pound cake recipe!&nbsp;Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-87263827218189123162010-05-01T22:03:00.000-04:002010-05-01T22:03:36.642-04:00The Scaredy Cat Chronicles&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Along with confronting my fears about horses, I had the chance to face another fear this week.&nbsp; My parents have a house in the mountains of North Carolina. (just happy to be related) It's the best of both worlds since we live at the beach and have access to this beautiful home in the mountains.&nbsp; The house is in a small valley that has a small town, a college and a conference center.&nbsp; In the summer, the conference center is bustling with activity and people are everywhere.&nbsp; Every other season but summer and it feels deserted.&nbsp; Their house is on a gravel road with 3 other houses but theirs' is set apart enough that you feel totally alone.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />A few years ago the house flooded from a split hose on the washing machine, and it wasn't found for days.&nbsp; The house had a lot of damage, but my mom chose to see it as an opportunity to change some things around.&nbsp; (she loves to remodel)&nbsp; The work was completed and I was in town for a meeting, but staying at the conference center because the house is too darn big for one person.&nbsp; After our meetings one night, four of my friends and I snuck away to the house so they could see all the work that had been done.&nbsp; It didn't start well, one in our party thought she saw a light on which was suspicious.&nbsp; After laughing at my paranoia, another of my friends charged in and stopped immediately because a door on the back side of the house was wide open!!&nbsp; At this point, I was ready to either run for the car or call the police.&nbsp; I was voted down, 3-2.&nbsp; The other girl that voted with me, we made sure we stayed in the middle of everyone.&nbsp; We were neither the first nor the last to enter a room.&nbsp; We've seen enough horror movies to know that the stragglers are among the first to go!&nbsp; We finished the tour and left without further incident.&nbsp; The next day I drove home, and after I got home my mom called me, I thought to ask me how the house looked.&nbsp; Instead, she was telling me that the police had just called her because they had caught some people who had evidently robbed several houses in this small valley and they confessed to taking things from my parents' house!&nbsp; They were interrupted but came back, got a few things, but were spooked again.&nbsp; When the police went to the house, everything was packed up to go.&nbsp; They were going to clean everything out, dishes were on the counter, pictures off the wall, area rugs rolled up.&nbsp; Not at all how it looked when I left.&nbsp; It was with a certain amount of perverse glee that I sent the email to my friends to tell them my survival instincts were right on the money!<br /><br />So flash back to the present.&nbsp; My mom needs to check on the house because the summer season is approaching and there are a few small jobs that need to be done.&nbsp; We drove up and started to get settled in the house.&nbsp; I picked up the phone and it was dead.&nbsp; Uh-oh.&nbsp; Not a big deal, right? We have cell phones!&nbsp; Who even needs a land line anymore?&nbsp; Except their house is where cell service goes to die.&nbsp; If you lean off the corner of the deck, you might be able to grab enough of a signal to make a call.&nbsp; I used this strategy to report the problem with the phone line.&nbsp; I laughed as I repeated myself louder and louder as if my volume could overcome the signal breaking up.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here we were, the two of us, in this big remote house with no means of communicating with the outside world.&nbsp; Ack.&nbsp; The rational adult in me says that this is a safe area with low crime, the previous break in was truly a fluke, AND they never would have gone in a house that was occupied.&nbsp; The not-so-rational scaredy cat in me shouted "RUN!"<br /><br />Guess which side won?&nbsp; The rational one.&nbsp; I know, right, it totally surprised me too.&nbsp; I settled into bed that night and went over my rational arguments for safety, prayed, read my book for a few minutes and drifted off to sleep.&nbsp;&nbsp; I feel amazing for having overcome another fear related situation but don't expect me to be jumping out of planes any time soon!&nbsp;Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-78240279688596478642010-04-19T21:34:00.000-04:002010-04-19T21:34:06.730-04:00Who are you gonna be?As my kids are getting older I start to think about what they are going to do "when they grow up."&nbsp; I wonder what direction they will go in.&nbsp; I have one extreme introvert and one extreme extrovert, opposite ends of the scale.&nbsp; It's interesting to watch them grow and see what behaviors they grow out of and what they grow into!&nbsp; We have always talked about "being the people God has called us to be."&nbsp; What is that going to mean for them?&nbsp; Who are they called to be?<br /><br />I have a good friend, in their mid/late thirties, (for clarity's sake, we'll call them the gender neutral Pat) and just recently Pat's parents told them they thought Pat had chosen the wrong career path and outlined all the mistakes Pat was making.&nbsp; I was dumbfounded.&nbsp; I know that you can go too far down the road of preserving someone's self esteem, but for goodness sakes, don't go too far in the other direction!&nbsp; Why not point out what Pat does in life that is good?&nbsp; Why not make helpful suggestions so Pat can learn and grow?&nbsp; What is served by only trashing Pat's path? <br /><br />Pat's situation reminded me that we have a chance to guide our children, but a time comes when we have to let them make their own choices.&nbsp; Sometimes we will not agree with those choices, but once they are adults, we have to find a way to support them.&nbsp; (of course as long as their choices are not illegal or destructive or harmful to themselves or others). &nbsp; I want my children to know that when I say I will love them no matter what, it doesn't mean I will love them only if they are making the choices I want them to make.&nbsp; I want them to choose a path that will be satisfying to them.&nbsp; I want them to like and be proud of what they do. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />Frequently in our family, if we are arguing, we take a moment to remind each other that we are on the same team.&nbsp; It's a funny analogy because we aren't an exceptionally athletic family.&nbsp; BUT, we have to remember that we love each other and support each other because we are a family.&nbsp; It doesn't end when they grow up.&nbsp; They will grow up and they will grow away, but we will always be a family and we will always be a team!Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-23690679238269267572010-04-16T18:04:00.001-04:002010-04-19T21:37:36.732-04:00On Conquering FearsI am hot and sweaty and tired and gross and really should be in a shower right now.&nbsp; (how's that for a sentence?)&nbsp; I just gave a horse a bath.&nbsp; Specifically, this horse.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S8jZn66poLI/AAAAAAAAACc/BcfCQfBHHm0/s1600/P1010693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S8jZn66poLI/AAAAAAAAACc/BcfCQfBHHm0/s320/P1010693.JPG" /></a></div>This is "Country Come to Town" or, Country.&nbsp; He is big and old and acts like a dog following you around.&nbsp; He is my mother's horse and his skin has been itchy, he needed a bath, and someone needed to do it.&nbsp; Have I mentioned that I have always loved horses but been terrified of them up close?&nbsp; I think they are beautiful, but they are so darn big.&nbsp; My brother and sister had riding lessons when we were kids, but by the time I was old enough they were bored with it.&nbsp; My mom had grown up on a farm but had not had a horse for 45(?) years when she got Country.&nbsp; My husband worked with horses at a camp in Colorado.&nbsp; My sister-in-law rides, two of my sister's kids ride, my daughter loves to ride, I am surrounded by it.<br /><br />My daughter started acting a little hesitant around the horses recently.&nbsp; I do not want my scaredy cat ways to be picked up by my children.&nbsp; So I resolved to get more comfortable with the horses.&nbsp; Country is a great horse for this experiment because he is so gentle.&nbsp; Little by little I have been increasing my confidence with him.&nbsp; Today, by myself, I went in the pasture to get him, put his halter on, led him through the barn and hooked him up outside where I gave him an oatmeal bath followed by a medicated bath for his skin.&nbsp; Do you know the problem with giving a horse an oatmeal bath?&nbsp; They really like the smell of the oatmeal.&nbsp; Country kept trying to get into the bucket and kept trying to steal the sponge.<br /><br />So I DID IT!&nbsp; I bathed the horse, turned him back out into the pasture and put everything up.&nbsp; Then I practically skipped home.&nbsp; I have such a feeling of accomplishment.&nbsp; It's like a huge box has been checked off.&nbsp; I had to sit down and write when I got home.&nbsp; (after I washed my hands, of course!)&nbsp; So now I need to take a shower, and possibly a nap! Then I will think about what to conquer next!<br /><br />**Update** Today, I had to hold Country's head while the Vet cleaned his teeth!!!!&nbsp; Combine a fear of horses and a fear of dentistry and I was weak at the knees.&nbsp; The tool the Vet uses was actually on a power drill!!&nbsp; but I survived yet again, (and I thought giving the horse a bath was a big deal, phew!)Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-28206169910748938882010-04-14T09:29:00.000-04:002010-04-14T09:29:06.784-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S8XCbjUQrFI/AAAAAAAAACU/ymy-DR2V-SY/s1600/P1010741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S8XCbjUQrFI/AAAAAAAAACU/ymy-DR2V-SY/s320/P1010741.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />My dad and I at the Hobby Greenhouse Plant Sale, one of my favorite things with one of my favorite guys!&nbsp; Wordless Wednesday link ups can be found <a href="http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/">here!</a> Go check some of the other great photos!Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-62212536494466733932010-04-12T09:35:00.000-04:002010-04-12T09:35:14.270-04:00Funny Stories<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/19667/ultimate-blog-party-2010/"><img alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/buttons/events/blog_party_banner_square.png" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" /></a></div><br />All this week I am enjoying the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/">www.5minutesformom.com </a>but it's somewhat stressful to know what to post.&nbsp; I am incredibly thankful for an "incident" this weekend that gave me a funny story to tell.&nbsp; Check it out!<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10853851&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10853851&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><a href="http://vimeo.com/10853851">Sunday Ultimate Blog Party</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3385902">Amy Hodges</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-87306569027331709862010-04-09T22:36:00.001-04:002010-04-11T11:58:13.339-04:00Ultimate Blog Party<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/19667/ultimate-blog-party-2010/"><img alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/buttons/events/blog_party_banner_square.png" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2010" /></a></div><br />Right now, at www.5minutesformom.com is (sound the trumpets) THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY!!!&nbsp; Susan and Janice are buckets of fun and they host this awesome week of blog celebration!&nbsp; There are prizes to be won and blogs to be discovered so please go to their site and check it out.&nbsp; I did a vlog to introduce myself, and I will be updating with which cool prizes I would love from the party.&nbsp; Hope you are all having a great start to your weekend!<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10816860&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10816860&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><a href="http://vimeo.com/10816860">Ultimate Blog Party take two</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3385902">Amy Hodges</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />They have so many prizes for the Ultimate Blog Party, I would love to win a 3 day 2 night stay from <a href="http://www.holidayinnmge.com/" target="_blank">Holiday Inn Main Gate</a> East in Kissimmee, FL or the Be My Guest certificate ($250 value) for one lucky winner, (2 night stay for a family of four) at any <strong></strong><a href="http://hiltongardeninn1.hilton.com/en_US/gi/index.do" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn</a>.&nbsp; (both of those are also from <a href="http://twitter.com/bloggin2noggin" target="_blank">bloggin2noggin</a> , FOLLOW HER!)&nbsp; Can you tell my family likes to travel??<br />&nbsp;We also love all things Disney so the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pop-Art-Mickey-5-2din-2d1-Tasty/dp/B000XRGKFE" target="_blank"> Disney Mickey 5-in-1 Tasty Baker by Pop Art</a> looks like a whole lot of fun!!&nbsp; (from <a href="http://twitter.com/poparttoaster" target="_blank">poparttoaster</a> find hysterical toaster and other kitchen gear with them!)<br />I also love prizes US101, US7, USC49, USC15, USC37, US112, US104, US72 or anything for a mom with a tween and a teen!&nbsp;Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-85886648751930367592010-03-26T19:23:00.000-04:002010-03-26T19:23:35.854-04:00TumbleweedsLet me introduce you to Sandy.&nbsp;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463887592/" title="DSCN1358 by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN1358" height="375" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4463887592_0d3301679a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Sandy is our sweet Pembroke Welsh Corgi.&nbsp; She is the second Corgi I have owned so I knew what I was getting into.&nbsp; Specifically, hair.&nbsp; Lots and lots of hair.&nbsp; So much hair that frequency of vacuuming does not cut down on the dog hair tumbleweeds that drift through my house.&nbsp; Enter the defurminator. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463891228/" title="DSCN1344 by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN1344" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4463891228_62789f2538.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The defurminator is a shedding tool.&nbsp; We live in southeast NC so we don't have to worry about pulling out too much of her undercoat.&nbsp; She is left with more than enough hair, but the defurminator cuts down on the hair that breaks loose in the house.&nbsp; It is a process that we have to do every week.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463889648/" title="DSCN1349 by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN1349" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4463889648_c8eae54d43.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Sandy fortunately tolerates the whole process very well.&nbsp; She actually enjoys it for the first few minutes. <br />Then she tries to run away!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463120135/" title="DSCN1355 by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN1355" height="375" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4463120135_9e869ba47c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />At the end of the day we are left with a happy dog!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463121675/" title="DSCN1366 by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN1366" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4463121675_74ce1b4c9e.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><br />and hairy pants! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4465220325/" title="hairy pants by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img alt="hairy pants" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4465220325_3bb00a7fe2.jpg" width="500" /></a>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-1700234454779549732010-03-25T21:47:00.000-04:002010-03-25T21:47:17.428-04:00Signs of SpringWe all have little things that make us feel like spring is really here.&nbsp; It might be flowers blooming, warming temperatures, seasonal allergies, or something completely different.&nbsp; One of my favorite signs of spring is the annual plant sale at our local <a href="http://www.gardeningnhc.org/">arboretum</a>.&nbsp; The Master Gardener program has an enormous plant sale with a large variety of plants.&nbsp; There are some good deals to be found and the plants are high quality.&nbsp; The picture below is a small sampling of what I will be planting this weekend!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463904472/" title="new plants by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4463904472_2872b95669.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463904472/" title="new plants by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><br /></a><br />As you look as these plants, I ask you to pay respects because at least 50% of them will not make it.&nbsp; I am a notorious plant killer.&nbsp; Everything my parents touch grows, but I did not inherit that gene.&nbsp; My husband is learning to grow more plants and therefore is beginning to save them from my curse.&nbsp; What is your favorite, hard to kill plant?&nbsp; Does it grow in the southeast?&nbsp; Let me know, I would love to lose my plant killer rep!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirtandjeansmom/4463904472/" title="new plants by tshirtandjeansmom, on Flickr"><br /></a>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-78705439087332581352010-03-24T10:27:00.000-04:002010-03-24T10:27:45.185-04:00Pack Rats, Procrastinators and Comic BooksI've said it before and I'll say it again.&nbsp; I come from a long line of pack rats.&nbsp; We are good at it.&nbsp; We can justify why we NEED to keep things.&nbsp; You never know when you might NEED that whatchamacallit.&nbsp; Problem is, if we need the whatchamacallit, we probably wouldn't be able to find it, and would go out and buy a new and improved whatchamacallit, then we would need to save the old whatchamacallit because they don't make them like that anymore.&nbsp; (I wasn't kidding when I said I was good at this)&nbsp;<br /><div style="text-align: left;">So I am a pack rat and a procrastinator.&nbsp; I have gotten my house in better shape, but my guest room and my garage are haunting me.&nbsp; Molly Gold, of <a href="http://www.gomominc.com/">www.gomominc.com </a>would cry if she saw these rooms.&nbsp; I know that I need to work on them, but then the procrastinator kicks in.&nbsp; Do you want to know the best way to procrastinate dealing with your junk?&nbsp; Deal with another person's junk!!!&nbsp; Yesterday, instead of taking care of my own house, I went to help at my parents' house.&nbsp; I am going to help them finish sorting through all of my late Grandmother's things.&nbsp; It is a monumental task because she saved EVERYTHING!&nbsp; I found bank statements from 1950.&nbsp; 1950. not a typo friends.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Which leads me to my great discovery! COMIC BOOKS!&nbsp; I found some amazing comic books from the 1940's and 1950's.&nbsp; Incredible stuff, from Red Ryder to Vault of Horror!&nbsp; Frankly, the covers of the Vault of Horror comics were pretty scary!&nbsp; Today, between other computer activities I am checking to see if these comic books are worth anything. &nbsp; My parents have agreed to sell them if they are! Hallelujah! Progress!&nbsp; Even if they are only worth $5.00 it's better than putting them in recycling!&nbsp; So I am making a dent at their house, now if I can motivate myself in my own house!&nbsp; Any great ideas?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-81094955726722372952010-03-22T13:37:00.000-04:002010-03-22T13:37:31.749-04:00Monday Mingle!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/search/label/Monday%20Mingletarget"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Big thanks to Jennifer at <a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/">www.eightyMPHmom.com</a> because I have been LOVING the Monday Mingle!&nbsp; She hosts every Monday and puts up three questions for everyone to answer.&nbsp; If you decide to Mingle, be sure to go to her site to link up, and check out all the other great people Mingling!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10350967&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10350967&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/10350967">Monday Mingle 3/22/10</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3385902">Amy Hodges</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264817521957903794.post-54150360959329865142010-03-18T14:15:00.000-04:002010-03-18T14:15:27.227-04:00MilestonesEgads.&nbsp; Today, I am the mother of a teenager.&nbsp; The handsome devil below is now THIRTEEN YEARS OLD!!!!&nbsp; How in the heck does that happen?&nbsp; He, of course, would be mortified to know I had posted this picture, but since he doesn't check in at the ole blog I think I am safe.&nbsp; Not to mention the fact that he is now taller than me with brown locks, therefore unrecognizable today.&nbsp; One part of my heart hates to see him grow up and away, but that's the deal.&nbsp; I am proud of who he is becoming and enjoy how our relationship is different now that he's growing up.&nbsp; And I am glad that he still wants his mom to make his favorite cake for his birthday. (Do we ever grow out of that?) So I am off to bake, Coca Cola cake anyone?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S6JsBOQ7rgI/AAAAAAAAACI/Jdy3DTM4eyE/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BYI1LI4z7H8/S6JsBOQ7rgI/AAAAAAAAACI/Jdy3DTM4eyE/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a></div>Amy @amymchodgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15947432966723084352noreply@blogger.com1